Banyana Banyana forward Jermaine Seoposenwe has officially stepped away from international football after South Africa’s loss to Ghana in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) third-place playoff.
The 31-year-old striker confirmed her retirement following Friday’s dramatic penalty shootout defeat in Morocco, drawing the curtain on a decorated journey that spanned 15 years and over 100 appearances.
“I made the decision before the tournament,” Seoposenwe told CAFOnline. “Coming in, I felt calm. There’s a real sense of relief, and I’m at peace with it.”
Born in Cape Town, Seoposenwe leaves behind a legacy many in African women’s football consider unmatched. She scored South Africa’s first-ever Women’s World Cup goal in 2010 and went on to become a two-time Olympian, four-time WAFCON finalist, and 2022 champion.
“She’s a fighter, a leader, and she gave everything to take this team forward,” said Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis. “From her teenage debut in 2010 to lifting the trophy in 2022, she’s been at the heart of this team.”
Ellis, who has coached Seoposenwe since she was 15, recalled how the striker stepped up at the 2022 tournament when star forward Thembi Kgatlana was injured.
“She wasn’t even supposed to play that much,” the coach added. “Visa issues kept her out for a while. But when Thembi went down, Jermaine delivered. That’s who she is — she never hides.”
Seoposenwe also played a crucial role in South Africa’s breakthrough 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign, where the team reached the Round of 16 for the first time.
National team captain Refiloe Jane described her as “a pillar of the dressing room” and “a player whose legacy upcoming stars will carry forward.”
Former teammate and now broadcaster Amanda Dlamini praised Seoposenwe’s evolution from “raw talent to seasoned professional.”
“She always had the drive and ambition,” said Dlamini. “Her confidence and composure in front of goal made her a game-changer. She’ll be missed.”
Beyond the national team, Seoposenwe has had a club career that spanned South Africa, Lithuania, Spain, Portugal, and Mexico where she currently plays for CF Monterrey in the Liga MX Femenil.
